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教 育 專 題 深 入 報 導
═══════════════════════《2003/07/11》═════
*****【本 期 內 容】
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教育專題 ◎ （國際專版）California tops the list of broke US
states
◎ 中文部分：全美人口最多的加州，赤字居冠
◎ （國際專版）California Partisan Politics Deepen Budget
Crisis
◎ （國際專版）California Partisan
Politics Deepen Budget Crisis
◎ （國際專版）中文部分：以終結者姿態付出，前進加州州長寶座
◎ Return of the Terminator, rise of the governor?
********************************************************************
◎（國際專版）California tops the list of broke US states
英文部分：全美人口最多的加州，赤字居冠
資料來源：法新社
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - America's richest state, California, has officially
gone broke, topping a long blacklist of cash-strapped US states that could drag
down the recovery of the world's biggest economy.
California lawmakers failed to meet a midnight deadline to pass its
annual budget, leaving the world's fifth-largest economy in a parlous state
just as opponents moved to oust its beleaguered governor.
But most populous US state was just one of six that failed to pass a
full spending plan ahead of the July 1 start of the new fiscal year, while at
least 46 of the 50 states are lumbered with crippling budget deficits, experts
said.
"It's ironic that almost all states in the world's richest nation
are broke, and California, the wealthiest among them, is in the worst shape of
all," said University of Southern California politics expert Sherry
Bebitch Jeffe.
California is hobbled by 38.2 billion dollar budget deficit that has
triggered a drive to topple Democratic Governor Gray Davis, with
"Terminator" star Arnold Schwarzenegger emerging as a possible
replacement.
State legislators had until the July 1 start of the new fiscal year to
pass a spending plan, but partisan lawmakers are deadlocked over how to balance
the ailing budget.
Republicans reject any solution requiring new taxes and Democrats
insist that tax hikes coupled with spending cuts are needed.
But, while it is worse off than all the other states with a deficit as
big as the budgets of most, California is not alone in its woes.
US states, which binged on tax cuts and spending in the boom years of
the 1990s, are now struggling to cope with the worst budget crisis in decades
as they feel the full brunt of economic slowdown.
Growing medical costs as well as boosted insurance and security
expenditure forced by the 2001 terror attacks on US targets have dealt the
crowning blow to the states, economists say.
The crisis also left lawmakers in Nevada and Pennsylvania unable to
pass a formal budget for the new fiscal year late Monday.
And Oregon, Connecticut and New Hampshire managed to approve only
stop-gap plans that allow their governments to continue functioning while
legislators thrash out a proper budget.
Connecticut Governor John Rowland deployed state troopers Tuesday to
force legislators to find a way out of the crippling crisis after he threatened
to veto the 400-million-dollar "mini-budget" passed late Monday.
He issued an executive order funding essential services for the next
week and dispatched state troopers to deliver subpoenas ordering legislators to
return to the state assembly and continue the debate until a budget was
finalised.
With numerous state operations facing shutdown, New Jersey managed to
thrash out a budget agreement after it was stalled in the Senate by a row over
boosting taxes.
New Hampshire's Republican governor Craig Benson vetoed the budget bill
passed by the state assembly, but legislators won a compromise with their
proposals being adopted for a three-month period while talks continue.
But liberal California, where state revenue depends more heavily than
others on unstable tax revenue and which has a growing population of illegal
immigrants requiring health and educational services, is by far the worst off.
Economists warned that the snowballing in most states risks putting the
brakes on an upturn in the US economy.
"These states are a drag on the economic recovery of the United
States, said Werner Hirsch, a professor of economics at the University of
Southern California.
"Federal government efforts are offset, or more than offset, by
the burden from state and local governments which are delaying recovery and
making it more difficult."
Educational and health services across the afflicted states are already
being hard hit by rolling budget cuts and the crisis looks set to deepen.
"California is really in deep trouble this time," Bebbitch
Jeffe said. "We are already living on borrowed money and if we don't find
a solution very quickly we are going to be effectively bankrupt."
◎中文部分：全美人口最多的加州，赤字居冠
文賴明芝
由於加州議員未能在7月1日午夜最後限期前，就消除龐大赤字的預算案達成協議，使得全美人口最多的加州竟然是以沒有荷包的情況下，展開新的會計年度。
想想美國可是名列全球最有錢的國家呢！卻沒想到旗下各州幾乎全部破產，連最有錢的加州，都面臨赤字額創下空前紀錄的窘境。糟糕的是，這次宣告破產的並非只有加州而已，事實上，總共有6個州碰上預算案無法過關的麻煩。另外5個州分別是內華達州、賓州、奧勒岡州、康乃迪克州以及新罕布夏州。
作為全球第五大經濟體的加州，卻面臨赤字無法消除，預算案達成不了的危機，這不但讓人吃驚、也感到擔憂。美國經濟復甦的前景，著實堪慮。經濟學家的說法是，不斷攀升的醫療開銷、暴增的保險費，以及受到2001年恐怖攻擊事件後，國防安全開銷大增，都是加重各州財政負擔的重要原因。承擔不了的情況下，也只能宣告破產。康乃迪克州州長約翰˙羅藍（John
Rowland）甚至採取部署州警在議會外的方式，迫使議員們找出解決的辦法。沒錢果然讓人抓狂！
既然新年度的州政府預算到現在還沒有著落，加州許多公立機構只好另謀出路，開始支用借貸款項度日，不消多時，加州民眾將面臨更多的不便。比方說，公立學校的未來怎麼辦？負責治安的警消力量，又該如何維持下去？
眾多的民生問題在州政府沒有錢的情況下會如何被處理，讓加州人十分關切。加州嚴重的預算危機主要來自州政府多年累積的382億美元的負債，以及州長戴維斯（Gary Davis）正面臨可能被罷免的政治風暴。根據最新消息指出，連署罷免戴維斯的人數正在持續當中。
◎（國際專版）California Partisan Politics Deepen Budget Crisis
英文部分：加州的政黨鬥爭加深了預算的危機
資料來源：路透社
By Michael Kahn
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California staggered into the new fiscal year
on Tuesday with no plan to plug a $38 billion shortfall, forcing a freeze on hiring
and payments to state contractors and leading officials to draw up plans to cut
the salaries of many state workers to minimum wage.
The fiscal crisis, which threatens California's already shaky credit
rating, came amid warnings the nation's most populous state will run out of
money in August.
This has forced California officials to draw up plans to pay state
workers not eligible for overtime the minimum wage and slap a freeze on checks
going to vendors for business performed for the state on or after July 1,
officials said.
They added that the plan to cut many salaries back to the minimum wage
would probably not take effect until August. Meanwhile Gov. Gray Davis
announced a hiring freeze amid warnings that the state may have to lay off
thousands of state workers if no budget deal is reached soon.
Analysts warned that a deeply partisan legislature may make quick
resolution of the crisis impossible, especially with Republicans leading a
campaign to have Davis recalled in a special election.
Lawmakers have so far been unable to craft a budget for fiscal year
2003-04 as Democrats insist on tax increases to go along with program cuts
while Republicans balk at the idea of any new taxes.
Last year, the governor did not sign a state budget until September.
But the situation is more pressing this year because of the sheer size of the
shortfall facing a state hurting from a slowing national economy and increased
spending during a dot-com boom of the late 1990s when California coffers were
filled with billions of dollars in surpluses
The governor has proposed a budget that calls for tax increases, a
$10.7 billion debt financing plan and deep spending cuts to help close the
shortfall.
Democrats control the legislature but need Republican votes to secure
the two-thirds majority needed to pass a budget bill -- a hard task given
Republican opposition to tax hikes and Democratic resistance to deeper spending
cuts.
Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a political scientist at the University of
Southern California, said one sign of the intransigence among lawmakers is the
threat from the top Senate Republican leader to work to unseat any member of
his party who votes for tax increases.
The deepening problems have already sparked credit downgrades that have
driven California's bond rating to a level lower than all but two states --
Louisiana and New York.
◎（國際專版）California Partisan Politics Deepen Budget
Crisis
中文部分：加州的政黨鬥爭加深了預算的危機
文賴明芝
政府多年累積的382億美元負債，當然是加州這次會面臨破產的重要原因。此外，也有不少人把這筆帳算在州長戴維斯的頭上。氣不過的人乾脆發起連署，想要把戴維斯罷免下臺。
可是，該負起十字架的，豈是只有戴維斯一人。真實的情況是，加州州議會的共和黨議員在過去1年裡，不斷集體杯葛戴維斯，他們拒絕通過任何增加稅收以改善預算赤字的法案，與此同時，民主黨議員則不同意縮減預算案中的各項開支計畫。兩黨相爭的結果，於是乎，就是讓預算案難產。
除非8月能有新的契機，預算案能被通過，不然目前地方政府只能採取告貸或是動用儲備金的方式過日子。能稱得了多久，沒人能說個準。不過，前景不甚樂觀就是了。因為加州共和黨的議員現在根本正忙著推動罷免戴維斯的運動，有多少議員真的會好好花心思進行協商呢？
日前洛杉磯時報完成的民調顯示，加州有51﹪的成年受訪者支持罷免戴維斯，42﹪反對，7﹪尚未做出最後決定。戴維斯受到加州選民不滿的原因，除了巨額預算赤字外，在教育與能源議題方面的表現也備受批評。
上個禮拜，戴維斯曾跳出來捍衛他的州長寶座。戴維斯認為，冰凍三尺非一日之寒，3百多億的債又不是他一個人搞出來的。言下之意，頗有不平。只是，戴維斯就算能逃過一劫，下個年度的預算也不會讓他好過到哪裡去。因為加州過去累積下來的赤字並不會消失，只會增加而已。
由共和黨聯邦眾議員達瑞爾．伊薩發起的罷免戴維斯運動，在加州各地目前正如火如荼的展開。達瑞爾利用民眾不滿加州今年因預算不足，巨幅削減社會福利與相關就業機會，重新翻出2000至2001間加州遭遇能源危機的舊帳，大作文章，大肆質疑戴維斯的行政能力。
1998年，戴維斯獲得壓倒性多數票當選州長，去年，他以些微差距領先共和黨候選人比爾．賽蒙而贏得連任。隨著執政的時間拉長，戴維斯的聲望也似乎逐漸下滑，會不會變成跌停板，過陣子就知道了！
文賴明芝
好萊塢紅星阿諾史瓦辛格有意跨足政治圈的傳聞，已經傳了好多年了。在美國，演藝人員投身政治圈，並不是什麼新鮮事。前美國總統雷根就是以演員的背景競選加州州長，進而入主白宮。
過去加州發生能源危機時，阿諾曾經表示，如果戴維斯不趕快拿出辦法解決這個問題，他將效仿前總統雷根競選加州州長。最近加州州長戴維斯面臨罷選危機，支持阿諾的人馬上又蠢蠢欲動，想鼓動他出馬競選。不過，目前阿諾人正忙著為新片《魔鬼終結者3》（Terminator）宣傳，對於到底會不會參選，始終不肯鬆口，刻意保持低調。
不過，既然有這麼一個消息傳出，無風不起浪，美國媒體認為，阿諾還是有意思的。因為，他在宣傳新片時，秀足了帶有政治意味的語言。例如，有記者問他，是否想「終結」（Terminate）外界有關他想參選的謠言？阿諾便笑稱︰「這部電影的特效非常驚人，大概只有『加州州政府的年度預算』足可比擬！」
之前阿諾帶著《魔鬼終結者3》的影片前往伊拉克慰勞駐守當地的美軍，他以非常政治的口吻說︰「伊拉克人都很窮，也沒有好的領袖，這倒是跟加州的狀況沒什麼兩樣！」揶揄現任加州州長戴維斯的氣氛超級濃厚的。
阿諾在這方面的機智，聽起來十分幽默！這倒是鉤起美國人對於雷根幽默風格的懷念。不過和雷根不一樣的是，阿諾肯定無法入主白宮，因為根據美國憲法規定，只有在美國本土出生的公民，才有資格競選總統，而阿諾是出生於奧地利的著名影星。
現在，罷免戴維斯的連署活動仍在進行當中。如果前連署罷免州長案在7月16日以前能夠成立，加州將於11月舉行投票。未來將出馬競爭戴維斯遺缺的，在民主黨方面有聯邦參議員范士丹，而共和黨方面，則有前洛杉磯市長雷登及好萊塢影星阿諾史瓦辛格等出馬角逐。
據了解，目前的民調並不支持阿諾出來競選加州州長，雖然他在電影裡飾演的腳色形象十分具有正義感，可是，也有不少人希望他能繼續留在演藝圈，不要破壞了他原有的正義形象。阿諾現在遲遲不肯表態，多少和民調有關，也還在觀望吧！
◎Return of the Terminator, rise of the governor?
（國際專版）
英文部分：以終結者姿態付出，前進加州州長寶座
資料來源：法新社
NEW YORK (AFP) - Everyone's favourite killer cyborg returned to the big
screen with the US release of "Terminator 3," amid speculation that
star Arnold Schwarzenegger's next role will be on the political stage.
The latest offering in the enormously successful Terminator series has
already been dubbed "The Governator" by US media, which have seen the
hype surrounding the film's release as more of a political than a promotional
campaign by the Austrian-born action hero.
In the best traditions of US politics, Schwarzenegger has been coyly
non-committal about a possible run for governor of California, but he has been
less shy about bashing the man who currently holds the job, Gray Davis.
Schwarzenegger, who has put his considerable muscle behind the public
drive to recall Davis from office, has repeatedly used his promotional
appearances for the Terminator as a platform for taunting the Democratic
governor.
A staunch Republican, Schwarzenegger recently appeared on NBC's
"The Tonight Show," where he was introduced by host Jay Leno as
"the next governor of the great state of California."
Asked by Leno what his kids were doing this summer, he responded that
they were no different from other children their age: "They hang out at
the mall and gather signatures for the recall," he said.
While his film roles have never been noted for their intellectual
depth, Schwarzenegger is known to be an astute businessman, although the killer
machines in the Terminator probably pose an easier challenge than California's
current fiscal crisis.
Appearing on ABC's "Good Morning America," Schwarzenegger
rejected suggestions that his lack of political experience would affect his
ability to exercise gubernatorial powers effectively.
"The politicians will tell you that, but the reality is
different," he said, before drawing a light-hearted, somewhat surprising
comparison between himself and Nelson Mandela.
"Nelson Mandela was never in politics. He was in prison for 26 or
27 years. And then he led South Africa and did a fantastic job," he said.
"There's a time when somebody from the outside has to step in and
take control, and I think the time in California has come for that."
Schwarzenegger is not without political connections. He is married to
Maria Shriver, a member of the Kennedy clan, who is reportedly "not
thrilled" at the prospect of her husband leaving Hollywood for political
office.
Such a move is not without precedent -- the most famous example being
Ronald Reagan, who used the governorship of California as a springboard to the
White House.
Schwarzenegger fans, meanwhile, seem to be siding with his wife.
In an open letter to their hero, the "un-official Schwarzenegger
fan club" pleaded with him to keep his eyes on Beverly Hills and away from
the governor's mansion in Sacramento.
"Machine movies, yes! Machine politics, no!" the letter said.
Members of the fan club plan to offer free tickets to "Terminator 3: The
Rise of the Machines" to any moviegoers willing to sign a petition begging
Schwarzenegger to forsake politics.
If he does choose to run, Schwarzenegger will be hoping for more
positive press than the early reviews garnered by the Terminator's return.
The New York Times dismissed the film as a B-movie, "content to be
loud, dumb and obvious," with Schwarzenegger acting -- "if you can
call it that" -- with his "usual leaden whimsy."